College Of Education And Human Development

The College of Education and Human Development projected the following programs to be considered for enhancement:

Priority 1: Doctorate in Education. The college proposed an interdisciplinary Ed.D. program with participation of its four departments. Intended to prepare educators to promote effective schooling and success for all learners in an increasingly diverse society, this program would address Goal 2 of Closing the Gaps, which targets increasing participation among every population group, especially African Americans and Hispanics, in higher education. The college believes that although there are other Ed.D. programs in the state, this proposed program would be the only one of its kind in Texas to offer concentrations in Effective Schooling and Diversity/Multiculturalism.

Priority 2: Principal and Superintendent Certification and Counselor Certification Programs. Although the Department of Educational Leadership currently offers principal, superintendent, and counselor certification, the college needs resources to enhance these programs. In particular there is need for additional full-time doctoral faculty to support the programs.

Priority 3: Teacher Preparation Program. The college notes that its undergraduate Teacher Preparation program is the largest program on campus, with over 1000 Interdisciplinary (elementary education) Studies majors. Additionally, it also provides pedagogy courses for students planning to teach in secondary schools. With additional Master’s level programs in education, the college is experiencing a shortage of faculty to address its heavy teaching responsibilities.

Priority 4: Dietetics Program. Accredited by the American Dietetic Association (ADA), this program in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences prepares students to apply for and participate in competitive 10-month post-graduate ADA internships to become registered dietitians. To date, 84 percent of the students in the internship program have become registered dietitians, and the program is growing. Currently it has only 2.5 FTE faculty who are registered dietitians and needs at least one more full-time, tenure track faculty member to meet the increasing demands of the program.

Priority 5: New Masters and B. S. Degrees. Proposals for master’s-level programs in Educational Technology Leadership and in Health Promotion have been approved through the Graduate Council, and a proposal for a new B. S. program in Exercise Science and Fitness Management has been sent to the University Curriculum Committee. All the new degree programs will help recruit new students to the university. Although no new faculty need to be hired for these degrees, funds for additional software and hardware will be needed for Educational Technology.